Browsing by Author "Kumar, Santosh"

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    Covid-19, healthcare and self-medication issues in resource limited-settings :
    (Busitema University, 2021) Sefah, Israel Abebrese; Essah, Darius Obeng; Haque, Mainul; Opanga, Sylvia A; Kumar, Santosh; Chikowe, Ibrahim; Kibuule, Dan; Rampamba, Enos M; Kalungia, Aubrey C; Thi Phuong, Thuy Nguyen; Saleem, Zikria; Markovic‑Pekovic, Vanda; Kurdi, Amanj; Godman, Brian
    Introduction and objectives: There have been concerns with the level of misinformation regarding COVID-19 and its treatment, drug shortages, as well as increased use and prices of antimalarials, antibiotics and hygiene products during the recent pandemic. Community pharmacists can play a significant role in disease prevention and treatment in the fight against COVID-19 including providing hygiene information and medicine availability across Africa and generally. Consequently, there is a need to review the role of community pharmacists in preventing unintended consequences during any pandemic as well as the impact of COVID-19 on the demand, availability and prices of suggested medicines for its management. Method: Multiple approach involving a qualitative review of the management of COVID-19 across countries coupled with a pilot study in Ghana among six purposely selected community pharmacists during the early stages of the pandemic assessing patterns of demand, availability and prices of medicines suggested for the management of COVID-19. Alongside this, pharmacists’ future role enhancing appropriate medicine use in Ghana and wider combined with the help of senior level co-authors. Results: The majority (five out of six) of pharmacists in Ghana reported increased demand for hydroxychloroquine, antibiotics and vitamins as immune boosters resulting in shortages with price increases particularly for antimalarials. Conclusion: The global lockdown had impacted on the supply and prices of medicines in Ghana similar to other countries. Community pharmacists can play a key role with encouraging safe medicine use, reducing self-purchasing of medicines and planning workflows during future pandemics including vaccinations. They can also help address potential misinformation and its consequences as well as the unintended consequences of pandemics including better management of non-communicable diseases. Keywords: Community pharmacists, COVID-19, Ghana, misinformation, self-medication, supply chain
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    Rapid Assessment of the Potential Paucity and Price Increases for Suggested Medicines and Protection Equipment for COVID-19 Across Developing Countries With a Particular Focus on Africa and the Implications
    (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2021) Sefah, Israel A.; Ogunleye, Olayinka O.; Essah, Darius O.; Opanga, Sylvia A.; Butt, Nadia; Wamaitha, Annie; Guantai, Anastasia N.; Chikowe, Ibrahim; Khuluza, Felix; Kibuule, Dan; Nambahu, Lahya; Abubakar, Abdullahi R.; Sani, Ibrahim H.; Saleem, Zikria; Kalungia, Aubrey C.; Phuong, Thuy N. T.; Haque, Mainul; Islam, Salequl; Kumar, Santosh; Sneddon, Jacqueline; Wamboga, Joshua; Wale, Janney; Miljković, Nenad; Kurdi, Amanj; Martin, Antony P; Godman, Brian
    Background: Countries across Africa and Asia have introduced a variety of measures to prevent and treat COVID-19 with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE). However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding some treatments including hydroxychloroquine where the initial hype and misinformation led to shortages, price rises and suicides. Price rises and shortages were also seen for PPE. Such activities can have catastrophic consequences especially in countries with high copayment levels. Consequently, there is a need to investigate this further. Objective: Assess changes in utilisation, prices, and shortages of pertinent medicines and PPE among African and Asian countries since the start of pandemic. Our approach: Data gathering among community pharmacists to assess changes in patterns from the beginning of March until principally the end of May 2020. In addition, suggestions on ways to reduce misinformation. Results: One hundred and thirty one pharmacists took part building on the earlier studies across Asia. There were increases in the utilisation of principally antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine) and antibiotics (azithromycin) especially in Nigeria and Ghana. There were limited changes in Namibia and Vietnam reflecting current initiatives to reduce inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials. Encouragingly, there was increased use of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE across the countries where documented. In addition, generally limited change in the utilisation of herbal medicines. However, shortages have resulted in appreciable price increases in some countries although moderated in others through government initiatives. Suggestions in Namibia going forward included better planning and educating patients. Conclusion: Encouraging to see increases in the utilisation of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE. However, concerns with increased utilisation of antimicrobials needs addressing alongside misinformation, unintended consequences from the pandemic and any appreciable price rises. Community pharmacists and patient organisations can play key roles in providing evidence-based advice, helping moderate prices through improved stock management, and helping address unintended consequences of the pandemic. Keywords: Africa, Asia, community pharmacists, COVID-19, medicines, protective equipment, price rises, shortages
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    Strategies to Improve Antimicrobial Utilization with a Special Focus on Developing Countries
    (MDPI, 2021) Godman, Brian; Egwuenu, Abiodun; Haque, Mainul; Ombeva Malande, Oliver; Schellack, Natalie; Kumar, Santosh; Saleem, Zikria; Sneddon, Jacqueline; Hoxha, Iris; Islam, Salequl; Mwita, Julius; Rezende Macedo do Nascimento, Renata Cristina; Piassi Dias Godói, Isabella; Lum Niba, Loveline; Amu, Adefolarin A.; Acolatse, Joseph; Incoom, Robert; Abebrese Sefah, Israel; Opanga, Sylvia; Kurdi, Amanj; Chikowe, Ibrahim; Khuluza, Felix; Kibuule, Dan; Ogunleye, Olayinka O.; Olalekan, Adesola; Markovic-Pekovic, Vanda; Meyer, Johanna C.; Alfadl, Abubakr; Thi Phuong, Thuy Nguyen; Kalungia, Aubrey C.; Campbell, Stephen; Pisana, Alice; Wale, Janney; Seaton, R. Andrew
    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a high priority across countries as it increases morbidity, mortality and costs. Concerns with AMR have resulted in multiple initiatives internationally, nationally and regionally to enhance appropriate antibiotic utilization across sectors to reduce AMR, with the overuse of antibiotics exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Effectively tackling AMR is crucial for all countries. Principally a narrative review of ongoing activities across sectors was undertaken to improve antimicrobial use and address issues with vaccines including COVID-19. Point prevalence surveys have been successful in hospitals to identify areas for quality improvement programs, principally centering on antimicrobial stewardship programs. These include reducing prolonged antibiotic use to prevent surgical site infections. Multiple activities centering on education have been successful in reducing inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials in ambulatory care for essentially viral infections such as acute respiratory infections. It is imperative to develop new quality indicators for ambulatory care given current concerns, and instigate programs with clear public health messaging to reduce misinformation, essential for pandemics. Regular access to effective treatments is needed to reduce resistance to treatments for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. Key stakeholder groups can instigate multiple initiatives to reduce AMR. These need to be followed up. Keywords: antimicrobials; antimicrobial stewardship programs; antimicrobial resistance; healthcareassociated infections; COVID-19; lower- and middle-income countries; misinformation; patient initiatives; surgical site infections; vaccines